Here’s where I am today, 2.5 years after my Mirena insertion and 2 years after the last blog update of my experience with the Mirena IUD. That means I’m halfway through the process. I’m going to write this update in a similar fashion to the last one, running down the list of common side effects and my experience with them. Then I’ll add any effects that weren’t covered and lastly, I’ll read the first two updates and see if I have any revelations or bits to add after recovering those memories.

If you want to catch up, you can read these two previous Mirena IUD posts.

•  Here’s a post detailing my Mirena IUD insertion experience and the immediate aftermath.
• Here’s a six-month update of my experience with the Mirena IUD.

Here is a review of the most common side effects of the Mirena IUD and then my experiences with each.

The most common side effects of Mirena are:

• missed periods (amenorrhea) – Funny thing, I used to think of periods as bleeding, but from this experience, I realize a period has so many symptoms, not just blood. (Why isn’t it framed this way in health class?) With that understanding, I still experience the classic symptoms of a period like PMSing, low energy, cramping, and sore boobies, but I do not bleed *that* much. I haven’t used a tampon in years although a panty liner one or two days a month would probably be helpful, I’ve never liked them, so I am looking into Thinx.
• bleeding and spotting between periods – I would say it’s definitely spotting instead of bleeding that happens for me now, but it never fails to happen right when I decide to wear new, cute undies, ’cause gotta ruin ’em all. Right? That’s why I’m considering Thinx – if you’ve tried them please let me know about your experience.
• heavier bleeding during the first few weeks after device insertion – Fucking yes times a million (a little dramatic? maybe. read this post.) thankfully, not an issue now (2.5 years later) obviously.
• abdominal/pelvic pain – I still have cramps for a couple days during each month. They are evident and painful. I don’t feel like going anywhere or doing much, but from where I stand now, I think these cramps are less painful than ones of periods (and birth control methods or being off birth control) past.
• ovarian cysts – Still no issues thus far. I’m due for a checkup in six months. I’ll update this if anything changes.
• back pain – I can’t say I notice any specific noticeable back pain associated with the insertion or my periods.
• headache/migraine – None related to the IUD.
• nervousness – I can’t say that I’ve noticed any specific incidents of nervousness.
• dizziness – Nope.
• nausea – Nope.
• vomiting – My gag reflex is heightened, but it hasn’t led to an increase in actual vomiting. I do tend to gag at the idea of gross things and strong smells, much easier than before.
• bloating – Nope.
• breast tenderness or pain – Only during my period, but not as much as before the IUD. I also don’t notice them swelling as much in size as they did before the IUD.
• weight gain – Nope. My weight has hovered around the same number. If anything I would say I’m more prone to losing weight. See my notes below.*
• changes in hair growth – Nothing noticeable. I’m going gray, but I won’t blame that on the IUD.
• acne – No change.
• depression – As I mentioned in previous posts, I have off days. I still have them, but my mindfulness practice paired with focusing on my nutrition and exercise definitely helps. I do not think I’ve experienced more depression after the IUD insertion.
• changes in mood – I haven’t noticed an overriding shift. So I would say no.
• loss of interest in sex – Nope – all good in the hood. Or bed, whatever.
• itching or skin rash and puffiness in the face, hands, ankles, or feet – Nope.
• increased vaginal infections & UTIs – Yes. This is one side effect that I am dealing with. As with most ladies, I am in tune when it comes to the onset of a vaginal infection and UTI. I’m freaking on it when I feel the first sign of it and I do all the homeopathic treatments. I have had to buy Monistat twice over the past two and a half years.
• sciatic nerve pain and numbness – Yep. Depending on which way I sit and where I put pressure, my legs are very quick to go numb.

*There is one little talked about side effect that I’ve seen thrown around on different message boards and on lawsuit sites – Loss of Appetite. It is no exaggeration to say that I have no appetite. This is not the worst thing and if anything I’ve lost weight because of it, but I don’t think it’s helpful to my overall nutrition. I guess what I mean is, it takes a lot of will to force myself to make and eat food. While I do feel hungry, I never know what I want to eat, so I don’t really act on the feeling. I go hours, sometimes an entire day without eating. It’s impossible for me to envision food that I want to eat, I don’t have cravings (unless I’m on a sugar binge or I’m stoned), and I’m zero help when it comes to picking a restaurant for date night. I’m not complaining.

As far as side effects go, this is a best case scenario, but sometimes, and only every so often when talking with friends, I realize that I do miss the excitement and enjoyment that used to be present around food. It’s just not there anymore. I used to cook a lot – most meals in fact and now I just throw salads together or prepare anything that can be eaten on a cracker (hello, hummus, dips, and all the cheese). Did you notice that Kate does all the food-related posts on the blog? It’s because I have only prepared *maybe* a dozen meals in the past two and a half years. That is not a joke. I’m hoping that will change once I live with someone because I still find so much joy in cooking for others, but for myself, the drive just isn’t there. Not even a tiny bit.

All that side-effect talk being said written I’ve straight up forgotten that I have a foreign object in my uterus. I’ve asked partners if they can feel the strings, a couple said yes, but it obviously wasn’t worth mentioning until I asked. I have been curious about where my strings are, but I’m the weirdest of wusses and I haven’t ever tried to locate them myself. UGH, will this weirdo ever be able to have a baby?! Not sure. That will be the six-year update 😉 (because IUDs are removed after five years).

Overall, I’m still completely happy with my IUD. I’ve forgotten about the first few months and the adjustment period by now, but I would absolutely mention that time to anyone who is trying to make a decision. In short, it sucked at first, but now I’m comfortable, happy, and I have a very reliable birth control method that doesn’t fuck with my mind or my body too much. That being said, everyone is different. That’s why I’m continuing to share my story and I encourage you to share yours, even if it’s especially if it’s different than mine. Gotta be real, I’m sad that it’s already been 2.5 years. I am not looking forward to the removal, mostly because I’m a squirmy, scared little human. If there was a 10-year option, I would have gotten it, much to my mother’s dismay.

I hope if you or someone you know is considering an IUD, you’ll read my IUD insertion post and the six-month update as well. The original post also had a great mix of comments from individuals who liked and disliked the IUD. Please reach out if you have any other questions or if you want to share your contraceptive experience.